British Columbians want energy independence and strongly support more wind energy as a source of clean electricity, poll finds

Canada NewsWire

VANCOUVER, Oct. 3, 2011

VANCOUVER, Oct. 3, 2011 /CNW/ - Seventy-six per cent of British
Columbians strongly agree or agree wind energy should be further
developed as a source of clean electricity, according to a recent
Oracle Research poll commissioned by the Canadian Wind Energy
Association (CanWEA). The poll, conducted on Sept. 26 - 27, also found
that 84 per cent of British Columbians want the province to produce
enough power to meet the needs of residents without importing energy.

"As the province faces the challenge of a rapidly increasing energy
demand and the imperative to slash greenhouse emissions while
maintaining low energy cost, wind energy's ability to meet these and
other challenges find strong support among British Columbians," said
Robert Hornung, President of CanWEA. "Tomorrow, CanWEA will unveil its
new WindVision for BC at Canada's largest renewable energy event right
here in Vancouver. This strategic plan to 2025 highlights the need for,
and benefits of, large-scale wind energy development in British
Columbia."

The poll also found that 55 per cent of residents think it is equally
important that new electricity generation comes with reduced impacts to
land, water and wilderness, creates zero net greenhouse gas emissions,
and is low cost.

"Wind energy can deliver well on all counts, in terms of reduced
environmental impacts and in supplying affordable, cost-competitive
electricity," said Hornung. "In addition to supplying emissions-free
energy, wind energy delivers new jobs and considerable investments."

The poll represents the findings from a survey of voting age residents
(18 years of age or older) in the province of British Columbia. The
margin of error for this 400-person survey is +/- 4.9%, 19/20 times.

About the Canadian Wind Energy Association (CanWEA)

CanWEA is the voice of Canada's wind energy industry, actively promoting
the responsible and sustainable growth of wind energy on behalf of its
more than 420 members. A national non-profit association, CanWEA serves
as Canada's leading source of credible information about wind energy
and its social, economic and environmental benefits. To join other
global leaders in the wind energy industry, CanWEA believes Canada can
and must reach its target of producing 20 per cent or more of the
country's electricity from wind by 2025. The document Wind Vision 2025
- Powering Canada's Future is available at www.canwea.ca.